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Alex Neil has quietly built a strong team that is more than the sum of its parts (Picture: AP)

Norwich City’s decent start to the Premier League campaign has gone largely unnoticed.

The away win at the Stadium of Light was, evidently, the result of another woeful Sunderland performance; the point at Anfield was, according to the popular press, only due to wasteful finishing by Master Coutinho and, while City should have sneaked a win at West Ham, ‘what about the Canaries’ schoolboy defending at set pieces?’

That we’re not popular or sexy has long been accepted in these parts but when it comes to the indifference championship we’re six points clear at the top.

But we’re not complaining. It suits us.

And if proof were needed as to just how ‘normal’ we are, Jonny Howson goes and rescues a stricken pigeon at the Boleyn.

What really matters – regardless of how we are perceived elsewhere – is that after seven games we’re looking the part; the ‘part’ being a bona fide Premier League outfit.

Norwich City have picked up some fine results so far this season (Picture: Getty Images)

Aside from a no-show at St Mary’s, which was Alex Neil’s one and only away defeat as City manager, every performance has been borne of an exhaustive work ethic, some shrewd tactical set-ups and a desire to attack when the time is right. It’s been well-organised, it’s been assured and, above all, it’s been positive.

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The same verve that saw Hamilton Academicals negotiate the Scottish Championship play-offs and then, for half a season, set the Scottish Premier League alight has been transported south, to Norfolk. Sadly for the Accies, their loss has been our gain.

Many in the media are waiting for the City bubble to burst. I don’t think it’s yet fully inflated.

Neil has mustered a squad that, while void of any big names, has a good balance. And it hasn’t occurred by accident.

Almost unnoticed in the transfer window – while the Yellow Army collectively bemoaned the non-arrival of a centre-back – Matt Jarvis arrived from West Ham on a season-long loan. Few appreciated it at the time, but City were missing the thrust of an old-fashioned winger who can run with the ball and quickly turn defence into attack.

Jarvis ticked that box.

Out, as a result, went last season’s player-of-the-season, Bradley Johnson; his combative style being something that Alex Neil perceived to already be in plentiful supply in his squad.

Early days of course, but that particular trade already looks to be a sensible one.

Elsewhere in that City midfield, the linchpin around which the current iteration of Norwich City revolves, every other box is ticked. And when it clicks it purrs like a Rolls Royce engine. Just as Alex has designed it.

That doesn’t of course mean everything in the Canary garden is rosy – they’re 12th for a reason – and it doesn’t need Danny Murphy to point out we concede too often from set pieces or Mark Lawrenson to remind us that our strikers are yet to score enough goals.

But there’s something about Alex Neil’s current crop. Something that one day soon will see them earn a plaudit or two.